Celtic Engagement Rings – How To Get A Modern Look With Lots Of Symbolism
Celtic Engagement Rings – How To Get A Modern Look With Lots Of Symbolism
Engagement rings definitely go in and out of fashion, and now seems to be a time to choose something a little different. Solitaires and triple stone designs are still popular, but more and more people want to find a ring which is slightly unique. This is probably why the Celtic engagement rings are so popular.
The most well known of the Celtic rings is probably the Claddagh ring. This is a lovely ring and there are some wonderfully detailed interpretations of the original Claddagh, but there is a lot more to Celtic rings than just this design. I actually think that the Claddagh makes a great gift for a teenager or for an eighteenth birthday; but I would choose something a little more subtle for an engagement ring.
The Celtic engagement rings are often a combination of symbols or they are a modern solitaire style, with the addition of Celtic symbols. The most popular choice of symbols for this type of ring are the twists and knots. The twists and knots primarily represent the intertwining of two people; hence its suitability as an engagement ring.
I have put a link at the bottom of this page to a ring which I really like. The stones are white diamonds, and they are set using a combination of a collar and a claw. The collar is actually the oldest setting used in rings, it was replaced by the claw setting which was popular as it was a sign of the expertise of the jeweller. This setting combines the simple, modern look of a collar with four claws holding the diamond.
The design is such that it looks like the trinity knot is holding the diamond in place. The trinity knot is a very important design. It is drawn by one movement, meaning that it is a continuous line forming three points which interlock to create a diamond shape in the middle. Different people believe that the trinity has different meanings. The trinity is associated with the moon and its stages; waxing, waning and full. This is a continuous and unending cycle, hence another association with love.
I like the ring below because it has the meanings of the Celtic symbolism with a very modern, stylised look.
14k Rose Gold White Diamond Celtic Trinity Ring Size 5
A stunning choice for a ring that contains a deep meaning of infinite love. The endless curves of the Celtic knot setting traditionally represent the timeless nature of our spirit, and the infinite love you share with your loved one. She will be delighted when she sets her eyes on this ring, which features a sparkling oval shaped gemstone of your choice. Along with the matching Celtic earrings and pendant, this is truly a set to die for.This celtic trinity ring features a cluster of diamonds that create the illusion of one large diamond. 10 round diamonds are set into 14K gold, with a total carat weight of 0.22 carats. The band is 5/16 of an inch at its widest point tapering down to 1/16 of an inch at the back, and is 3/16 of an inch high off the finger.
A Selection of Celtic Rings for the Perfect Wedding
A Selection of Celtic Rings for the Perfect Wedding
Celtic rings are rather addictive, most probably because they seem to have a something for every occasion. I only recently discovered the huge range of Celtic jewelry, and last year a friend of mine was getting married and wanted a Celtic ring – so we decided to spend some of our weekends trawling the shops for the best Celtic wedding rings. One thing which we quickly discovered was that the Celtic rings make wonderful presents. Here is a summary of what we ended up buying and why.
The Grooms Ring
This was actually the first one which we choose as we saw it and instantly knew that it was right. It was quite a wide band, and was engraved with the warrior design. This design is taken from a Chalice which was found by two Irish farmers, and has now come to symbolise strength and loyalty.
The Bridesmaids Gifts
My friend had choosen three young brides maids and a teenager. We both completely fell in love with the story behind the first Claddagh ring and decided that it was a perfect present for a teenager as it was such a great story of believing in true love. We wanted to buy something which would be comfortable to wear and was delicate enough for her small fingers. I cannot find an example of exactly what we ended up with; but it was pretty similar to this:
The Little Bridesmaids
We thought we would keep the theme of the Claddagh amongst all the girls, but these were too young for a ring, in fact they were a bit young for jewelry at all, but we decided to go for some pendents, which their parents could keep until they turned 8 or 9 (only a couple of years wait).
The Brides Wedding Ring
We spent a lot of time on this one – not because we couldn’t find anything, exactly the contrary, we found so many which we liked it was hard to choose! In the end we went for something which was two tone. My friends engagement ring was a solitaire diamond with a collar setting and was white gold. So we wanted a wedding ring which would compliment it. We found a ring which had a gold inlay which was engraved with a dragon design and a white gold outer band. The simplicity of the engagement ring against the engraving of the wedding ring seemed to enhance them both.
Below I have put three links to similar products I have found on line, starting with the brides, then the grooms and finally the senior bridesmaids.
Concave Gold Inlay Celtic Tungsten Wedding Band Ring 9mm size 6
- Tungsten, Gold Plating
- band width: 8mm
- 8.3 grams
- Unisex Ring; For Men, For Women
Celtic glamor! Our Concave Gold Inlay Celtic Tungsten Wedding Band Ring 9mm recalls the days of yore when the ancient Celts revered the magical powers of the dragon. This fabulous gold Celtic wedding band will appeal to anyone with a taste for adventure and history. Designed with comfort fit, this beautiful Celtic wedding band has rounded edges which make it easier to put on or take off. Tungsten jewelry is highly polished and scratch-resistant and it’s hypoallergenic so it won’t turn your fingers green. It’s the perfect mens wedding ring for that perfect day in your life!
The Grooms Ring
Gents Silver Medium An Ri Wedding Band With 14K Trim – Size 6
Inner band is silver with yellow gold rims. Inspired by the Ardagh Chalice designed by monks who lived on the Shannon’s shores.
The Senior Bridesmaids Ring
Irish Celtic Sterling Silver Claddagh Ring Heart Diamond CZ April Birthstone-6
- Claddagh Ring
- band width 2mm; heart stone: 6mm (.75 ct)
- .925 Sterling Silver
- Cubic Zirconia
- 2.4 grams
Love, friendship, and loyalty are imbued in the Claddagh style and our Irish Celtic Sterling Silver Claddagh Ring Heart Diamond CZ April Birthstone will touch the heart of everyone on your gift list. Friends and family members born in April will be thrilled with the charm of this designer inspired cz diamond jewelry. This April birthstone beauty is also perfect as a very affordable eternity band or friendship ring. Planning an engagement around St. Patrick?s Day? Look no further. This sensational cz diamond ring is the absolute perfect engagement ring. Slim and elegant, this ring can be stacked with other birthstone rings. Measures: band width 3mm Weight: 2.4 grams
Types of Celtic Wedding Rings
Types of Celtic Wedding Rings
Choosing a wedding ring is not as easy as it used to be. There was a time when the level of intricacy and the number of stones on your wedding ring was a sign of your wealth and social status. Then during the first world war the plain gold wedding band became the most popular choice (this was also the time when the male wedding ring became more popular). Now, you can pretty much have what ever you like for your wedding ring. The difficulty with this is knowing where to start and what to look for.
There are some items of jewelry which we only put on when we are going out – however, the wedding ring is very different. Most people will rarely, if ever, take off their wedding ring. For this reason many people will choose wedding rings which smooth surface. The designs will often be engraved on the band, and stones are often embedded using settings such as the bezel setting. This is a style which is comfortable to wear and unobtrusive.
Jewelry Celtic Dragon Comfort Fit Black Inlay Tungsten Carbide Mens Wedding Ring (6)
- Mens Band Ring
- Tungsten. Black Inlay
- 8mm wide
- 13.7 grams
Dragons mean many things to many people. The Celts revered their magic powers and our Celtic Dragon Comfort Fit Black Inlay Tungsten Carbide Mens Wedding Ring will feel like magic when you put it on. The “comfort fit” rounded edges of this tungsten dragon ring lets you put it on and take it off with ease. Tungsten jewelry is famous for its high-gloss, permanent polish, and scratch-resistant surface. Because it is hypoallergenic, our Tungsten gold ring will not turn your gfingers green. This black inlay Tungsten ring for men is dashing, eye-catching and absolutely durable. If you’re buying our Tungsten celtic ring for a wedding, you’ll know that its beauty is lasting. A Tungsten wedding band says “happily ever after” with style and panache. Measures: band width: 8mm (5/16″) Weight: 11.4 grams
Combining different color golds is often a way to add to the look of a ring, while still keeping a very simple design. With the celtic designs there are two ways in which metals are combined. The first is through an inlay. An example of this would be a rose gold band with a white gold inlay going; with this style any engraving would be on the inlay metal. Another way to combine metals is to use two or three different colored metals to twist together to create some of the distinctive celtic knots and twists.
Concave Gold Inlay Celtic Tungsten Carbide Wedding Band Ring 9mm Sz 10.0 SN#005
Buy tungsten rings at discounted prices. We offer tungsten rings with gold inlay, silver inlay and diamond accents. All tungsten rings we offer are 100% scratch proof with lifetime guarantee.
It is symbolism and huge amount of variation within the Celtic jewelry which has made Celtic wedding rings so popular.
Celtic Engagement Rings
The Most Popular Designs Of Celtic Engagement Rings
One of the most popular choices from the Celtic engagement rings is the Claddagh. This is a great gift and enhanced by the story behind it.
The first Claddagh was made by Richard Joyce who was taken into slavery and forced to leave his sweet heart. On returning to Ireland when the slaves were finally freed he presented the girl, who had waited for him, with a ring. This was the first Claddagh.
Although the Claddagh is one of the most well know Celtic engagement rings it is not the only one.
There are many Celtic ring designs which make wonderful engagement rings. The traditional Celtic rings have continuous designs around them; these can often be found enhanced with diamonds and other precious stones to make them more like a traditional engagement ring. However, one of the best symbols which lends itself to diamonds is the trinity.
The Trinity is traditional Celitc knot which has three sections to it. There are many meanings associated with it, but one of the most popular are the Christian Holy Trinity; Frather, Son and Holy Ghost. However, it is also associated with the moon, it waxing waning and full status. The Trinity is one continuous line, so it is thought to represent life and the continuousness of the soul and the family.
In Celtic engagement rings the Trinity is often placed either side of a solitaire style stone or the other popular choice is to have a stone placed in each of the three section of the design.
Many people choose to have a three stone ring for an engagement ring as it symbolises the union of the past, the present and the future. This can now be found in the Celtic engagement ring collections with either a trinity either side of the triple stone, or with a knot or twist completing the bands.
Celtic designs have grown and changed throughout history and they continue to do so. This, combined with the availability of these designs through the internet, means that Celtic engagement rings are becoming more and more popular across the globe.
Celtic Wedding Rings
Why the Celtic Wedding Rings are Such a Great Choice
A wedding ring is a very unique piece of jewelry and it has completely different requirements to any other piece of jewelry a person will ever own. Firstly, this ring is rarely taken off, and secondly, this ring has to be completely practical. You have to be able to wear your wedding ring through all the traumas of life and know that it won’t get damaged or in the way.
For many of our parents and grandparents there was an assumption that wedding rings would be a simple gold band. This has all changed now; more and more people are choosing rings which symbolism and designs.
The desire for something ‘a little different’ means that the Celtic wedding rings are growing in popularity. The Celtic rings have always been surrounded by symbolism and meaning and now more and more of us are choosing them as they seem to be able to say what we want.
The Celtic wedding rings come in two basic shapes. The first is the shape of a simple band, which is then engraved. The second style is where the shape of the ring is defined by the design and engraving.
The designs of the Celtic wedding bands are usually based around continuous lives which are intertwined or woven together. These are symbolic of the combining of two lives in an eternal and unending love.
Other symbols which are often incorporated into the Celtic wedding rings are the sun and the moon. The sun represents live and the warmth of love. The other symbol is the moon. This is often shown in its various states of waxing, waning and full. The moon is often associated with the progression of life as well as the stages of woman hood.
Many Celtic jewellers have their own distinct weaves which are a sort of signature on their creations. For this reason many couples will choose their wedding rings from the same designer. This way the rings can be different, to suit the tastes of both parties, but will be similar in their design as well.
Celtic Rings
The Attraction of Celtic Rings and Why They are So Popular Today
Many people are choosing Celtic rings because of their symbolism. Usually when we give a gift we are also giving a message, and with Celtic jewelry the message is incorporated in the designs.
The most popular of design for Celtic rings is probably the Claddagh. This is one of the most defined designs. It is known who and when the first Claddagh was made and also the story behind it. The story is a love story, which is still relevant today, and as a result the ring is still a popular design. The design has become embellished over the years with many jewellers now adding gem stones to the design. These will usually either be in the heart or the crown of the design. For added symbolism these are also often available in different birth stones.
The second most common design for Celtic rings are those with a continuous pattern around the ring. These patterns are usually based around the traditional knot, weave or twists which are found through Celtic art. These rings are a popular choice for wedding bands as they are often engraved without stones, so they are practical for everyday wear. The weave and knot design is usually based around two lines which interweave around the ring and have no beginning and no end. For this reason they are often associated with love and marriage as they are the combining of two people in an endless and eternal love.
There are many other Celtic rings and there are also rings given as Christening presents or friendships.
In some families if there is an old Claddagh, this is passed down the female line and depending on how the ring is worn is has a different meaning. If the Claddagh is worn on the right hand with the heart facing outwards then the wearers heart is free, once the wearer gives her heart to someone the ring is turned around and worn pointing inwards. Finally, on marriage the ring is moved to the left hand, and remains facing inwards.
Celtic jewelry is a combination of not only art, but also Druid and Christian beliefs. There is a link with nature and world around us. Many of the designs will incorporate the sun and moon in the continuous yet changing cycles.
One other great advantage about the Celtic rings is that they can be intricate or simple. Many Celtic jewellers have their own distinctive style which becomes a signature for their work. Once you have found a designer you like, the chances are that you will return for further items of a similar style.